Help with Buying new video card

[Jsongz]

Hi, I'm basically going to say I really don't know what im looking for to see if the video card I'm going to get is compatible with my computer. I am thinking about getting a Radeon 9800 PRO because they seem to be top of the market as of right now. I do not know what I'm looking for when looking at compataibility and I don't know what the difference is between OEM, bulk and Retail types. I've noticed on www.newegg.com that there are different types and the price range varies between all them. I would really appreciate it if some of you could help me so I make the right choice and not waste my money.(note- I need to double check this because I was told that my computer isn't known to be compatible with a lot of hardware.)

Here are my computer specs:
eMachine T2615
2.13 GHZ
480 MB
120 GB
I can't seem to find where to check on how much watts my power supply has, I'll look it up. Yes I know I don't seem to know to much about computers, I just want to get the best deal and not waste my money.

Thanks in advance
Jacob

 

[sandorski]

Make sure you have an AGP slot first(probably do, but check to make sure).

Re: OEM/Bulk/Retail: OEM and Bulk should basically be the same thing, both coming in an anti-static bag with only a Driver disk(CD). The OEM *might* have some adaptor cables included, but make sure before you order. Retail will come in a box and will have a Drivers disk(CD), Adaptor cables, and possibly some Games or Game demos or even some Graphic Utilities or WinDVD, check for what's included.

If you have an AGP slot and an adequate power supply, the 9800 Pro is certainly the best choice right now. IMO.

 

[Jsongz]

Yes I have a AGP slot I know that from an embarrsing event when my last video card didn't work and I didn't know why, then I checked the bios and noticed it was loading the AGP slot and not the pci . How many watts do you think i would need? I still haven't checked but I'm going to soon

 

[MDE]

To check the wattage, you should just have to pop off the side of the case and look at the power supply label. It should work regardless. A 9800 Pro isn't any more of a load than an additional hard drive or two.

 

[cainsdive]

Bang for buck I would go for the 9600 or 9700 ati cards. Will last you a couple of years, and by then youl be swapping to BTX and a PCI slot.:beer:

 

[OverVolt]

A 2.13Ghz....? AMD Athlon? Celeron? P4? it would help to know. Also what speed memory?

And whats your current vid Card. Might not even wanna upgrade from what ya have. but for the best value the R9600Pro is the best bang/buck and the R9800Pro is all out performance and it doesn't hurt the wallet that much either.

 

[Jsongz]

2.13 Ghz Amd Athlon

 

[randumb]

Originally posted by: Jsongz
2.13 Ghz Amd Athlon

aka Athlon XP 2700+ TBred. Guessing RAM would be DDR333.

 

[Vonkhan]

I'd suggest tht u get a 9600pro and spend the rest of adding/upgrading ur RAM

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: randumb

Originally posted by: Jsongz
2.13 Ghz Amd Athlon

aka Athlon XP 2700+ TBred. Guessing RAM would be DDR333.

Actually Athlon XP 2600+ 266FSB (yes the rare one) RAM is DDR266.

From the eMachines spec page:

Specifications of eMachines T2615

Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
AMD Athlon? XP 2600+ Processor (2.13 GHz) with QuantiSpeed? architecture
VIA KM 266
7.25"w x 14.125"h x 16"d
120 GB HDD
AOL 3 month membership included, click here for details
512 MB DDR (PC 2100)
56K* ITU v.92 ready Fax/Modem
10/100Mbps built-in Ethernet
48x Max. CD-RW Drive, 16x Max. DVD Drive, 3.5" 1.44MB FDD
Premium Multimedia Keyboard, 2-Button Wheel Mouse, Amplified Stereo Speakers
AC '97 Audio
S3 ProSavage8? integrated (1 AGP slot available)
6 USB 2.0 ports (2 on front), 1 Serial, 1 Parallel, 2 PS/2, Microphone-In & Head Phone jack on front, Audio-In & Out, 3 PCI slots (2 available)

 

[Jsongz]

My man question is am I going to be able to run this Card correctly and precisely if my watts are average for it? I just want to make sure its good and I can run it perfectly. (According to all my computer specs)

 

[BudAshes]

An emachine with an 9800 pro:Q

 

[Nebor]

Also consider than an emachine may not have a standard power supply, and you might lack the connector for a radeon 9800.

 

[Jsongz]

I'm guessing I would have to buy a new power supply..?? If so what do you recommend

 

[Jsongz]

What do you guys recommend I get for my emachine. ( my specs are above) Because this is really important to me and I really do want the 9800 pro I just dont want to get it, and then discover it doesn't work with my comp and I can't return it. Imput please, thanks in advance

 

[Nebor]

Honestly you'd be better off saving your money towards an entirely new computer... Surely you know about emachines? It just seems silly to put a $350 video card in a $350 computer.

 

[XBoxLPU]

It doesn't look to be that bad of a machine


You currently have a 250 WATT ( found on e-machines site )

IMO a 9800 Np and a new 350-400 watt power supply would be a nice upgrade. Are you running onboard graphics at the moment ?

 

[Jsongz]

No, I bought a cheap graphics card from a friend.. its uhmm radeon 7000 i think.. How much do power supplys go for?

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: XBoxLPU
It doesn't look to be that bad of a machine


You currently have a 250 WATT ( found on e-machines site )

IMO a 9800 Np and a new 350-400 watt power supply would be a nice upgrade. Are you running onboard graphics at the moment ?

We don't even know that a new power supply will plug into this motherboard!

 

[Jsongz]

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: XBoxLPU
It doesn't look to be that bad of a machine


You currently have a 250 WATT ( found on e-machines site )

IMO a 9800 Np and a new 350-400 watt power supply would be a nice upgrade. Are you running onboard graphics at the moment ?

We don't even know that a new power supply will plug into this motherboard!

Will you please quit harassing my computer. I know it is not the best and I'm not going to get a new one, I am perfectly happy with it and all I want is constructive criticizm so I can figure out what I need. So if anyone please can help me I need to find a compatible Power Watt of 350-400 that can go in my emachine.(specs above) I just want help please and thank you. And also if you think I should get a different video card (some already said so) please tell me the card. Thanks in advance Jacob

(p.s. also thanks to the people that have already posted)

 

[chocoruacal]

Originally posted by: Jsongz

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: XBoxLPU
It doesn't look to be that bad of a machine


You currently have a 250 WATT ( found on e-machines site )

IMO a 9800 Np and a new 350-400 watt power supply would be a nice upgrade. Are you running onboard graphics at the moment ?

We don't even know that a new power supply will plug into this motherboard!

Will you please quit harassing my computer. I know it is not the best and I'm not going to get a new one, I am perfectly happy with it and all I want is constructive criticizm so I can figure out what I need. So if anyone please can help me I need to find a compatible Power Watt of 350-400 that can go in my emachine.(specs above) I just want help please and thank you. And also if you think I should get a different video card (some already said so) please tell me the card. Thanks in advance Jacob

(p.s. also thanks to the people that have already posted)

He's not harrasing your computer.

Pay attention: you bought an OEM machine. OEM machines, like EMachines, often use proprietary parts. That means you might not be able to plug "any old" power supply in there. Crack open the case and see if the PS is a standard ATX.

The reason people say you might need a new PS, is that generally OEM machines come with 200-250 watt PSs. On forums like Anand, people are infected with PS envy, and seem to think you need 400 watts to run a hard drive and CDRW.

Depending on the quality of the PS, though, it might be perfectly adaquate. I ran a 9700 on a OEM Sony that had a 200 watt supply...no problems. The only way you'll know for sure is when you buy the new card and fire it up.

To answer your other question: retail=new, full warranty. OEM/Bulk=used/refurbished/etc, partial warranty.

 

[PaperclipGod]

Originally posted by: Jsongz

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: XBoxLPU
It doesn't look to be that bad of a machine


You currently have a 250 WATT ( found on e-machines site )

IMO a 9800 Np and a new 350-400 watt power supply would be a nice upgrade. Are you running onboard graphics at the moment ?

We don't even know that a new power supply will plug into this motherboard!

Will you please quit harassing my computer.

stupid

 

[Budmantom]

It might be ok w/o a new power supply, I have a 9800np in my Dell and it only has a 250watt psu.

Like chocoruacal said plug that card in and see what happens.

Tom

 

[arcenite]

I thought the 2600+ is technically ~2.08Ghz and the 2700+ is technically ~2.17Ghz

Edit... hmm... mine is running 2.1ghz and is picked up as 2600+ so I guess it's close enough... don't mind me

Bill

 

[arcenite]

Originally posted by: PaperclipGod

Originally posted by: Jsongz

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: XBoxLPU
It doesn't look to be that bad of a machine


You currently have a 250 WATT ( found on e-machines site )

IMO a 9800 Np and a new 350-400 watt power supply would be a nice upgrade. Are you running onboard graphics at the moment ?

We don't even know that a new power supply will plug into this motherboard!

Will you please quit harassing my computer.

stupid

Not nice
:evil: